"Riot" – another variation of classic prison action films (“Prison”, “Tango and Cash”, “Death Warrant”, “Cruel Justice” and many others), which in many moments continues their traditions and, without hesitation, copies numerous clichés (there is no favorite special forces, but there is an equally beloved Russian mafia). In short, the variation is modern, but very simple and very retro.
A smooth, plot-wise, very simple film, with a small budget and limited locations, but it looks very clear and, what is most curious, not annoying, although I repeat, there are plenty of button accordions and other obvious things. Perhaps this is due to my viewing fatigue, because I have already seen and re-watched similar films and reacted: “here we go again!” I don't want to anymore.
The main character performed Matthew Riza the classic type of avenger cop behind bars (even the hero’s name is Jack Stone, it couldn’t be more original), Dolph Lundgren – the same typical character, I won’t reveal all the spoilers, although everything will be clear to you right away. I will only say that Lundgren is there purely for the flavor and because of the fame of the name in the genre. WITH Chuck Lidell the situation is similar. And all three are absolutely replaceable with any other actors.
The acting in the films is, in fact, at the level of DTV films, no better, but no worse. The whole point is that there is nothing special to play in the film, since the narrative is very smooth, despite the fact that almost all the screen time is shown to us in prison. As for fights, in this regard John Loyd and the stunt team Braxton McAllister you also need to work a lot, first of all, with dynamics. All movements are readable, but too measured, if not slow, and the participants wait for each blow like bliss. The fights are reminiscent of a dance memorized by a beginning troupe, with hellishly long (for fights) pauses between connections, blows and other elements, as if the performers are afraid of forgetting a movement, making a mistake or damaging something. In any other film this might not be such an important flaw, but not for a prison action film. Jailers' fights imply intense dynamics, density, contact, and cruelty. This is sorely lacking in “Riot”: the fights are too sterile, despite the knives and blood. And the opponents, modestly attacking one at a time, is the diagnosis of all films of the genre. In “Riot,” this is all taken to the absolute level in places: in corridor battles, the crowd in the background stands rooted to the spot one step away from the main character and looks at him in fascination, if not lovingly, as he gradually scatters those daredevils who have fallen out of line. But it was the fights that could take this film to a higher level.
The main battle of the film Reeves VS Lidell cannot boast of anything particularly interesting; it, one might say, is straight out of the 80s.
Things are a little better with women's fights. Technically they are clearly inferior, but there is plenty of acting, screaming and “combat fussiness” there. That’s why you empathize with the girls more than with the main character.
And such a strange impression from the film. It doesn’t seem particularly addictive, but it’s not annoying either. I can’t say that it’s very interesting, but everything seems to be well-tailored. The fights aren't great, but they're not a complete failure either. The music is not particularly good, but in the right places. If you don’t watch it, you won’t lose much; if you decide to take a look, you might like a lot. There is potential, but there is still a lot of work to do: improve the script, improve the acting, improve the fight choreography. But as a good start, there are examples that are much, much worse.
Author: Ravenside
Especially for fight-films.info
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Tags: Riot, Braxton McAllister, John Loyd, Dolph Lundgren, Matthew Rhys, Chuck Liddell
Tags: Riot, Braxton McAllister, John Loyd, Dolph Lundgren, Matthew Rhys, Chuck Liddell
After the trailer, I was waiting for a clear hand-to-hand action movie. Inexpensive, but strong and with a decent fighting game. It's a pity that it ended up being something incomprehensible.
Don't be too driven to see the film, there are great fights.
Dave,
Not much at all)
Wow, well done.
Dave,
As you say.
IMHO, Dolph played very well. He is generally a colorful guy, and with age he has developed both texture and acting skills.
Fights are weak. And in general, while I was watching it, I more or less liked it. The movie ended and there was a feeling of emptiness.
Wave,
Well, in general, it’s about the same for me.
I liked the film and looks great, if you compare it with Dolph’s latest films “War Pigs”, “The Forgotten” and “Shark Lake”, then this is another good action movie in the collection.
I was very amused by the fact that Lidell has the worst Russian accent of all the “Russians” in the film and the best Russian language.
I don’t agree with the passage of the corridor at the end of the film - the speed and variety of technology is on par. But in closed spaces (the same battle with special forces in the laundry room) they were too clever - it was impossible to properly film a scene when 5 or 6 attackers would quickly hit with tonfas; of course, it looked rather weak there. I was more pleased with the fight with Liddell because I’m simply impressed by Liddell (but he doesn’t act much, and fights even less)
In essence, everything is correct, but still Reese has been overly criticized: in my opinion, he is a fast and confident film fighter. I noticed him in “11 O’Clock” and somehow after that he didn’t shine in his roles. His fights are quite worthy of attention (unlike, of course, Lundgren)
Dmitriy,
It was not so much he and his technique that was criticized, but, first of all, the staging of the fights in general. If we have a very technical fighter, then his opponents, extras and extras should be at the same level. But in this case we don’t have that, apparently. Everything happens slowly, fragilely, waiting for every blow.
I watched “Riot”, skipping through interesting moments, this way and that, a category “C” action movie.
IMHO - Dolph has boring action sequences from film to film! The almost 2-meter tall fellow scatters all the bandits and delivers monotonous punches (((
He only has 3 decent films - Unisol 1992 with Van Damme, Rocky 4 with Stallone, and Angel of Darkness with Matthias Hughes.
Moreover, in Unisol 1992, Dolph looks more charismatic than Jean, somehow I think so.
+ I will count for the performance of the USSR anthem - the film "Red Scorpion")))
Vladimir, ps, what about “Showdown in Little Tokyo” with Tagawa and Brandon Lee? I think it looks good even now.
Wave,
It was thanks to Tagawa, Brandon Lee (who, by and large, took on the main fighting load and carried out the battle scenes alone), due to the colorful yakuza, spectacular memorable music, endless naked girls...
And Lundgren was there like a white Hollywood giant, against the backdrop of little Japanese, reverently looking up at him. Dolph was always a bad screen fighter, but he had the looks.
IMHO, my favorite films with Lundgren are the aforementioned “Showdown in Little Tokyo”, “Universal Soldier”, “Angel of Darkness”, “The Punisher”, “Johnny Mnemonic”, the nostalgic “Masters of the Universe” and the good “Minion”. And these films are not bad in themselves, regardless of Lundgren’s persona. Angel of Darkness has a very good atmosphere and an amazing Hughes, who can be put on the same list as Schwartz in The Terminator or John St. Ryan in American Cyborg: Iron Warrior. It’s the same in “The Punisher” and “Mnemonic” - atmosphere, aesthetics, style.
“Universal soldier” everything is clear here))
Wave,
TIMMONS and Wave!
That's right, comrades! I forgot these films, indeed “Johnny Mnemonic” is his real A class project, the role of the Preacher is atypical for Dolph’s image. This is a plus in his filmography.
As for Showdown in Little Tokyo, I, being a Brandon Lee fan, am reviewing this film only because of Bruce Lee's son! Showdown should have expanded Brandon's role and given him more hand-to-hand combat.
Dolph is of course in good physical shape here, such a fit muscleman))) but his movements are slow!
Vladimir,
Dolph also has a great role in the movie Johnny Mnemonic with Keanu Reeves. You can list several more films with him. But we must admit that he was never a good movie boy.
Vladimir,
Category C, there's no escape. But Dolph has much worse films.
But he was never an interesting screen fighter.
Ravenside,
Why, Rocky can be counted. Although yes, he showed little of the pretentious.
uranium,
Yes, and not pretentious. How many actors have played boxers no worse, or even better than Lundgren, simply training for the role.
Are there any fight scenes with Dolph? :)
DIV,
a couple of punches, a couple of knee strikes.
That's all the scenes.
Ravenside,
Just like Nevsky, only better) I’ll watch the film. Thanks for the tip.